Celebrate San Antonio New Year's Party Benefits Parks Foundation

As the world rings in the New Year, thousands of San Antonio residents and visitors will flock downtown to celebrate the arrival of 2013. Organizers say it’s the largest free New Year’s Eve celebration in Texas, and expect 250,000 people in downtown San Antonio.

The San Antonio Parks Foundation has organized the city’s New Year’s Eve Celebration known as ‘Celebrate San Antonio’ since the late 1990s. Even without a general admission cost, Parks Foundation Executive Vice President Teresa Cox said the event is not just a party, but a fundraiser for the foundation, bringing in $50,000 to $75,000 through vendor and drink sales.

"All of that benefits the Parks Foundation so that we can continue our mission of providing support to park projects when Parks and Recreation falls short, and unfortunately that happens quite a bit," Cox explained.

Tonight’s celebration begins at 6 p.m. on South Alamo Street between market and Cesar Chavez, and will include three live music stages, a carnival and a 17-minute firework show at midnight, shot from the Tower of the Americas.

Cox said the fireworks will go forward rain or shine (or fog). The only thing that will change is the music if the stages get wet.

And as the city rings in the New Year, a chapter is closing for one of its most well-known residents. Former San Antonio Mayor, and current Parks Foundation President, Lila Cockrell will retire from her position at the stroke of midnight.